The French embassy in Beijing announced on March 3 that the French government would open nine more visa application centers in mainland China, in addition to the existing six centers in the country. 

Data from the embassy show that last year the embassy and the six consulates of France had issued more than 770,000 visas to Chinese citizens, including business travelers, students, and tourists, up by 40% year-on-year. France remained the most popular European destination for Chinese visitors, having received 2 million Chinese visitors in 2015.  

The embassy said the French Government had decided to strengthen its representation in China by adding more visa application centers. Two new centers will be launched in Chongqing and Jinan on March 3 while the other seven will be located in Changsha, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Xi’an, with detailed schedule yet to be jointly announced by the embassy and its partner TLS contact. (Translated by Jerry)